Tensions rise between media, ANC-led government

War of words

The war of words had erupted between the two parties and is reaching boiling point day by day - a clear sign of rising tensions between the Fourth Estate and the democratic government, led by Africa's oldest party, whom critics are now describing as a bunch of 'control freaks'.

In his column titled 'Differentiate between media freedom and commercial agenda', published on the party website late last week, ANC and SACP member Lumko Mtimde harshly wrote: "One can only conclude that the rush to publish information without establishing all sides or facts of a story is not driven by a commitment to media freedom but rather a blatantly commercial agenda.

"It is thus not correct and fair to then, when irresponsible reporting and gutter journalism are challenged, to say that media freedom is under threat."

Media tribunal's objectives

He reiterated, through this column, that the media tribunal's objectives will be, among others, to strengthen, complement and support the current self-regulatory mechanism, promote media freedom for all, discourage irresponsible and misleading reporting, gutter and sensational journalism, and put public interest before commercial interests.

The Citizen newspaper's Monday editorial read: "These folks and their comrades do not want you to discuss their ways. That is why they are championing a media tribunal and the Protection of Information Bill...

"The party rails against 'brown envelope' journalism, saying this type of rot is a much more serious problem than the media is willing to admit.

"Well, show us"

"Well, show us. The only instance of alleged 'brown envelope' journalism involves a senior ANC member... The ANC continues to absorb outcasts from the media, discredited by their peers for lack of professionalism. How absurd that the ANC should lecture the media on ethical standards."

Government is becoming increasingly nasty towards the media, with higher education minister Blade Nzimande and communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda lately voicing their dissatisfaction over the Fourth Estate's 'threats and abuse'.

Many observers believe statements such these can only mean that the relationship between the ANC-led government and media has come to a complete meltdown, a worrying sign for the continent's biggest powerhouse, which many African countries have always looked to for leadership and guidance at times of democratic crisis.

Society's watchdog

Editors and journalists want the ruling party to leave them alone to fulfil their role of society's watchdog unhindered, while the ANC-led government wants the media to stop their sensationalist behaviour and be 'more patriotic'.

Furthermore, in a unsurprising move, the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) has entered the fray, with DA leader Helen Zille writing in her 1 August 2010weekly online newsletter: "Without a free flow of information, chiefly through the free media, power abuse goes unexposed, unchecked and unpunished. The truth gets covered up.

"The result is that people cannot make informed decisions, and they cannot hold their leaders to account at the ballot box. This means that democracy withers and dies."

"We will use every means at our disposal to defend our country and democracy from the ANC's assault. We will take the fight all the way to the Constitutional Court if necessary. But, whatever happens, we will not allow an authoritarian law to prevent us from exposing power abuse whenever and wherever it occurs. We would rather go to prison in pursuit of the truth than be complicit in the death of democracy. We will never surrender our right to know."

For more:

• ANC.org.za: discussion paper on media transformation, ownership and diversity
  
• Bizcommunity special section: special focus on media freedom
  
• Bizcommunity Twitterfall: #ZAmediafreedom
  
• Google News Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal
  
• Twitter Search: #ZAmediafreedom
  
• Google Blog Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal

Corrected at 9.17am on 4 August 2010.